Spray head



March 12, 1957 D. E. STEARNS 2,785,013

SPRAY HEAD Filed Sept. 15, 1954 2 Shets-Sheet 1 ATTOR/WSVJ March 12, 1957 D. E. STEARNS 2,785,013

SPRAY HEAD Filed Sept. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTOR/VfVJ United States Patent SPRAY HEAD Dick E. Steams, Shreveport, La.

Application September 15, 1954, Serial No. 456,265 19 Claims. (Cl. 299-426) This application relates in general to liquid distributing devices of the character commonly known as spray heads and more particularly to such devices intended for the distribution of a downcoming stream of water in a predetermined fashion, usually as uniformly as possible, over a substantially horizontal area disposed therebelow.

Spray heads of the type referred to are employed in various locations and for various purposes, one of the most common purposes in industry being that of distributing water or other cooling liquid over the coils of a heat exchanger through which a warmer substance is caused to flow. The coils referred to are, in many instances, not strictly in the shape of coils but in the shape of bundles of tubes through which the fluid to be cooled is circulated, being referred to as coils by custom. Also,

while the most common applications have to do with the distribution of a cooling liquid over coils containing a warmer fluid, it will be understood that the spray head may be employed for the purpose of distributing a warm liquid over coils containing a cool substance, or, indeed, for distributing liquid over some object other than the coils of a heat exchanger. In either of such types of heat exchanger it will be seen that it is ordinarily highly desirable that the liquid be distributed over the coils so that substantially equal volumes of liquid will fall upon equal areas of the coils within the entire area over which the spray head distributes the liquid. Stated differently, it is usually desired that each unit area of coils will receive, in a given length of time, the same volume of cooling liquid thereon as each other unit area of the coils, so that all portions of the coils within the area covered by liquid from a spray head will receive an equal cooling effect from the liquid sprayed thereon.

In some cases it might be desired, however, that the distribution of liquid from a spray head be not exactly uniform as above indicated, but that predetermined greater volumes of liquid be caused to fall upon certain portions of the area covered by the liquid from the spray head as compared by the volumes of liquid falling on other portions of that area.

It is therefore .an object of this invention to provide a spray head for such service as indicated, in which the operating head is usually between one and ten feet of water, with which it may be possible to produce whatever liquid distribution may be desired over the area on which the spray head distributes its liquid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray head which may be caused to distribute liquid uniformly over the entire area on which it causes liquid to fall.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotor for such a spray head, the contour of the rotor determining the characteristics of distribution of the spray produced by the spray head.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray head of the character referred to which will be inexpensive to manufacture in large quantities,

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray head of the character referred to which will not be subject to clogging by debris or deposits from the water being handled nor by the growth of algae: or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray head of the character referred to which will have a long and trouble-free life with an absolute minimum of attention.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawings wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts and wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of the invention. It will be understood, however, that the embodiments set forth in the drawing are by way of illustration and example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of spray head constructed in accordance with this invention, illustrating the manner in which certain portions of the spray head cause portions of the liquid to be thrown out to the maximum radius of the area to be covered by the spray head and other portions of the spray head direct other portions of the liquid to positions closer to the axis of the downcoming stream of liquid striking the spray head, it being understood that the radii of throws of the spray are not in true proportion to the size of the spray head due to limitations of space for the drawing.

Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the rotor of the spray head in top plan view and showing in addition a device for gauging the amount of liquid falling on areas of various radial distances from the axis of the spray hea d, the departure from true proportions between the dimensions of the spray head and the area covered by the spray therefrom being similar to that in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the rotary mounting of the rotor of the spray head.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the rotor of the spray head shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, looking from the left side of the spray head as seen in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the same spray head rotor but looking from the right side of the spray head as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of rotor for .a spray head constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a still further modified form of rotor for such a spray head.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Figs. 6 and 7 but showing a still further modified form of spray head rotor, this one having an outer contour formed with only a single spiral-like edge.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, the numeral 1 in Fig. 1 illustrates a downcoming pipe from which is adapted to be discharged a stream of liquid to be distributed by the spray 'head of this invention.

In accordance with this invention the spray head is supported from the lower end of the downcoming pipe 1 by means of a support formed of a wire formed with a helical coil 2 adjacent its upper end, this coil comprising several convolutions as may be desired and being wound originally to a slightly smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the pipe 1 so that by being slightly uncoiled it may be placed over the lower end at the pipe 1 and then released to grip the pipe 1 sufilciently tightly to support the spray head. Extending from the lower end of this coil 2, and preferably an integral portion of the wire of the coil, is a downwardly projecting length of wire 3 which extends to a point a substantial distance 3 A below the lower end of the pipe 1, at which point it turns radially inwardly toward the axis of the pipe 1 as shown at 4 and thence upwardly substantially coaxially with the pipe for a short distance as indicated at 5. The upper, end of this portion 5 of the wire provides a hearing for the rotor presently to be described, and may be rounded as shown in Fig. 3 or provided with other suit able shape so as to provide a vertical thrust bearing for supporting such rotor.

Reference is now had particularly to Figs. l. and 2 wherein it will be seen that the rotor of the spray head is made up of a body 6 which might be said to be generally of disc shape but departing from a true disc shape by modifications both of its upper surface and of its outer contour.

Generally, the upper surface provides a laterally directed surface and approximates a plane normal to the axis of the disc.

Preferably, the upper surface of this body presents a substantially annular concavity or curved bottom groove 8 extending in a circumferential direction. This groove may be of circular curvature in cross section or of some modification thereof depending upon the nature of the distribution of water desired as will hereinafter be explained but grooves of circular curvature in cross sections taken along planes radial to the axis of rotation of the rotor have been found highly satisfactory. At the inner edge of this annular groove it blends with a smooth flaring curve into a central upwardly projecting portion substantially on the axis of the rotor as shown at 7, this upward projection, in the form shown in Figs. 1 to'5, inclusive, constituting an upwardly extending post of substantial length with a streamline upper end and substantially smooth lateral surfaces extending approximately vertically. Preferably the rotor is mounted a sufficient distance below the end of pipe 1 so that objects which will readily pass through the pipe may also pass between the end of the pipe and the rotor.

The groove 8 is preferably of such a nature that, at all points thereof which are equidistant from the axis, the surface of the groove will intersect a plane which is normal to the axis. Stated differently, if a plane be passed normal to the axis of the rotor at any given level such that it would intersect the surface of the groove, the line of such intersection would constitute a circle which would be coaxial with the axis of the rotor.

Now it will be seen that if the outer contour of such a rotor were circular and coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotor, the outer edge of the rotor would at all points he on the same level and a downcoming stream of water would be directed outwardly to substantially the same distance in all directions from the rotor, while the rotor would in fact not be a rotor at all because there would be no tendency for it to rotate under the impact of such a stream of water.

However, in accordance with this invention, the outer edge contours of such rotors are formed with spiral-like curvatures 9, each extending from a point it of maximum radius and curving in such fashion that the radius of the outer edge decreases with increments of angular progression around the rotor until a point is reached at which the outer contour is of nearly the same radius as the lowermost portion of the curved upper surface of the rotor, as clearly indicated at 11 in Fig. 1. Preferably the radius from points 10 to near points 11 and 13 decreases by equal amounts for equal angular increments. In the preferred form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the outer contour of the rotor is formed with two such spirallike portions, each of which is slightly less than 180 in extent, one of which curves sharply inwardly toward the axis from the point 11 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and S, and the other of which curves sharply inwardly toward the 'axis from a point 13, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Point 13, like point 11, is nearly at the lowermost point of groove 8. in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the sharp armors i p inward curve from point 11 forms a notch terminating at a point which is spaced from the axis by about onehalf the maximum radius of the rotor, while the inward curve from point 13 joins a substantially radial line 12, this radial line 12 being provided by a cut or slot which extends to a point 14 closely adjacent the axis of rotation of the rotor.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, this construction provides the groove 8 in the upper surface of the rotor with an outer wall which is of maximum height at the points it) and of gradually decreasing height as the radius of the rotor decreases down to the points 11 and 13 respectively. The effect of water flowing in a substantially radially outward direction over this outer wall of the groove 8 at these points of gradually decreasing height of such outer wall is graphically illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The water moving substantially radially outwardly over the portions of this wall of greatest height will be thrown from the rotor the greatest radial distance and this distance will gradually become less to the point at which the water flows substantially horizontally outwardly over the portion of the rotor at which there is no outer wall in the way of such movement.

The notch 12b on one side and slot 12 on the other side permit water to flow therethrough and provide covcrage for the portions nearer the center of the area over which water is distributed by the spray head. The narrow inner end of slot 12 permits water to fall substantially on the center of such area but limits the amount of water adjacent the center where the least amount is required.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, it will be noted that due to the decrease in height of the outer edge of the contour of the spray head rotor in a clockwise direction, there will be a tendency for liquid impinging downwardly thereon to flow not directly outwardly in a radial direction with respect to the rotor but with a slightly clockwise motion thereon toward that portion of the rotor having the lowermost barrier to outward movement in the case of the upper spiral and toward that portion of the rotor having no barrier to downward movement as exemplified by the curved portion 13 and the radially extending slot 12 in the case of the lower spiral. In other Words, liquid may flow circumferentially along the groove 8 and down through the slot 12 without having to rise to flow over the raised outer edge portion of the remainder of the rotor. The same is true in the case of the notch 12b in the upper part of the rotor. This slight fiow of liquid in a clockwise direction with respect to the rotor causes a reaction which tends to rotate the rotor in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated. By reference to Figs. 4' and 5 it will be seen that the material of the rotor is beveled or curved away from both said notch 12?) and the slot 12 to the lower surface of the rotor as at 12a and 12c. This permits liquid flowing into slot 12 from groove 8 to pass down through the slot without striking directly the opposite side of the slot and neutralizing the reaction due to this circumferential flow.

in order to accentuate the elfect just described and to insure that liquid falling upon the upper surface of the rotor will not flow in a counterclockwise as well as in a clockwise direction to seek the point where the least resist once is found to a radially outward flow, there is provided a a vane 15' which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor from the point 10 of greatest radius of the rotor in a direction toward the center of the rotor until it joins the upstanding post or projection 7 in the center of the rotor. Such a vane constitutes a dam preventing flow from taking place in a circumferential direction from that end of the annular groove 8 at which the outer edge of the groove is highest.

Unexpectedly, it has been found that vane 15 not only helps provide a positive impulse initiating rotation of the rotor from a standstill when struck by a downcoming stream from pipe 1, but when the rotation has started the vane serves to retard such rotation much as a dashpot retarding movement so that the speed of rotation of the rotor is held down to a relatively slow speed as compared to re speed of rotation of similar rotors having no vanes once rotation is started. In the case of rotors having no vanes, moreover, it has been found that they are not dependable as regards the starting impulse and downcoming streams of water do not always serving to start them.

There is thus provided the contrast that rotors without vanes are not dependable in starting and when started rotate at undesirably high speeds, whereas rotors with vanes have positive starting impulses and are reliable in this res aect, but when started rotate at desirable low speeds. The explanation of this would seem to be that whereas the vanes serve to limit circumferential flow of liquid with respect to the rotor in one direction more than in the other and thus provide the positive starting torque, once rotation starts the vane forces all liquid falling on the rotor to take on some circumferential component of movement in the direction of rotation of the rotor, this change in direction of movement of the stream of liquid tending to retard the speed of rotation of the rotor.

Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be seen that liquid directed from the outer edges of the rotor. will be directed so as to fall along a curved line 16 which extends from a point of maximum radius to a point where the water or other liquid falls through the slot 32 at the inner end thereof which is substantially adjacent the axis of rotation. Thus, when this, rotor rotates, the sweep of this falling curved line of water will cover the entire area within the circle provided by the maximum radius 1'7. inasmuch as the distribution of liquid along this line depends upon the relative height of the outer edge of the rotor at various points, the amount of water falling on any increment of the line 16 can be determined by varying the height of the outer edge of the rotor from which the water moves to fall upon such portionjof the line 16. The height of this outer portion of the rotor may in turn be controlled by the contour of the rotor at this point. Thus, by decreasing the radius of the outer edge of the rotor at a given point the height of this, outer edge at such point will be decreased and by increasing the radius the height would be increased. in this manner, the water may be distributed along the line it: so that during one complete revolution of the rotor equal amounts ofwater will fall on all areas of equal size within the circle delineated by the radius 17. In order to check on this distribution of liquid from the rotor, a means has been devised in the form of a container lid which is of the shape of a piece of pie and which is divided into radial compartments each of substantially equal radial extent as designated by the numeral-s 19, 2t and 21. By putting such a receptacle on a horizontal surface beneath the spray head of this invention with its point or apex substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the spray head and its larger end substantially coincident with the circle formed by the rotation of the radius 17, and by then operating the spray head, the amounts of liquid collected in each of the compartments 15 2b, 21, etc, may be noted and the outer contour of the spray head rotor varied so that more or less water or other liquid may be caused to fall in any given compartment until the liquid falling in all compartments over any given length of time of operation of the spray head will cause each compartment to fill to a depth substantially equal to that to which the other compartments fill. As above explained, this represents an ideal situation from the standpoint of distribution of cooling water to cooling coils but may be varied, if desired, for any particular intended purpose.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is illustrated one mannor in which the rotor may be rotatably mounted upon the upper end of the upturned portion 5 of the wire support previously described. In this instance, the upturned end of this wire is shown rounded at 22 and fitted within an opening of corresponding shape in the lower portion of the rotor. The rotor may be formed of any desired material ,such as plastic or metal of various kinds but in the event that it should be formed of a. material which will not provide a good bearing contact: with the mate rial of the wire support, the rotor may be counterbored in its lower portion as shown at 23 for the reception of a bearing insert member 24 of some material which will provide a suitable bearing contact with the material of the wire support. By way of example, it may be noted that if the wire support be made of steel, a very suitable bearing material would be of a plastic known commercially as nylon and that a bearing of such construction is substantially indestructible in the service of the character here indicated.

While the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, other modifications which have been found highly acceptable are illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, respectively.

In Fig. 6 the form is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, but the vane 26 is shown as being continuous from one side of the member to the other and both lobes or portions of spiral-like contour 27 and 28 are identical in form instead of being somewhat unlike as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. It is believed that the extension of the central upstanding part 7 in the form of Fig. 1 provides a somewhat better streamline flow than the shorter central extension 25 as shown in Fig. 6 and that there is a greater splashing of liquid from the upper portion of the continuous vane 26 of Fig. 6 than from the divided vane 15 of Fig. l.

.The form illustrated in Fig. 7, like that illustrated in Fig. 6, is provided with two substantially equal lobes or parts of spiral contour 27 and 23 and this form shown in Fig. 7 is otherwise substantially similar to that illustrated in Fig. 6 except that the vane is in effect divided into two parts 29 and 3t in a fashion similar to the two parts of the vane 15 of Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. In these forms, however, the two parts of the vane are in exact alignment with each other instead of being substantially out of line with each other as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The form shown in Fig. 8 diifers from all of those previously described in that it has only one lobe or portion of spiral-like contour 31 which extends from .the point of maximum radius 32 substantially 360 in a circumferential direction to a point of minimum radius 33, Surprisingly enough, this form of rotor does not exhibit any marked tendencies to be out of balance in such fashion as to retard rotation but rotates readily upon a bearing substantially. as shown in Pig. 3. In this form, however, only one vane 34 is employed because of the fact that only one portion of spiral-like contour is present.

All of the forms of this invention illustrated in the drawing have in common the characteristics of a liquid redirecting upper surface in the form of a circumferentially extending groove which has an outer wall of varying height from one end toward the other as it varies in radius from a maximum radius at one point to a minimum radius approaching the axis of rotation at another point. Also, all illustrate the use of vanes for assisting in the direction of the flow of liquid on the liquid re-directing surface of the rotor to create a positive torque for starting the rotor, and to produce a sort of dashpot efiect for controlling the rate of rotation of the rotor. As above explained, such vanes, though desirable, may in certain instances be omitted from use with this invention.

It will be appreciated that by the use of this invention any desired uniformity or non-uniformity of distribution of liquid over a, surface beneath a spray head may be accomplished.

It will further be seen that by this invention a downcoming stream, of water may be distributed uniformly over a given area beneath the spray head and the spray head provided may be simply and inexpensively constructed in large quantities and when placed in use will give long periods of trouble-free use with substantially no attention. Only one moving part is employed and 'the bearing for such a part is located in a fashion so that it will not become clogged by debris nor subject to the action thereof but will instead tend to shed quickly any foreign matter which might by some means get into it. The spray head itself is so formed that flowing liquid will at all times tend to keep its surfaces clean and free of debris and no parts are disposed in such fashion as to catch or retain any debris that might be contained in the water impinging thereon.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the ap paratus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombination. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be inter substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted i for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis to form a groove, said groove extending circumferentially over the major portion of said surface, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point adjacent the axis.

2. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis to form a groove, said groove extending circumferentially over the major portion of said surface, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point of lesser radius, and the outer edge of said liquid redirecting upper surface along said spiral contour being inclined with respect to said axis from a maximum height at said point of maximum radius to a minimum height at said point of lesser radius.

ing upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly N outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis, the outer edge of said body being 7 formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point adjacent the axis, all the points of said liquid redirecting upper surface which are equidistant from the axis lying in a single plane normal to the axis, 'whereby the outer edge of said surface along said spiral contour is inclined with respect to said axis.

assists 4. A spray head adapted for distributing a downoorning stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its :axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis to form a groove, said groove extending circumferentially over the major portion of said surface, the outer edge of said body being formed with a plurality of spiral-like contours extending from points of maximum radius to points of lesser radius.

5. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area. comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having .a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis to form a groove, said groove extending circumferentially over the major portion of said surface, the outer edge of said body being formed with a plurality of spiral-like contours extending from points of maximum radius to points [of lesser radius, one of said portions of spiral-like contour terminating in a substantially radial slot extending to a point closely adjacent the axis.

6. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantial-1y horizontal area comprising a body mounted .for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point adjacent the axis, and a vane extending from the point of substantially greatest radius of said upper surface .toward the axis of rotation and providing an obstacle to the flow of liquid along said surface in a circumferential direction.

7. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from .said axis, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point adjacent the axis, and a vane extending from the point of substantially greatest radius of said upper surface toward the axis and providing an obstacle for flow of liquid along said surface in a circumferential direction, said vane extending substantially to said axis of rotation.

8. A spray'head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream. of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasing outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis, the outer edge of said body being formed with a plurality of spiral-like contours from points of maximum radius to points closer adjacent the axis of rotation, one

9 of said spiral-likecontours terminating in a substantially radial slot toward the axis ofrotation and extending to a point closely adjacent said axis and the other of said spiral'like contours terminating at a greater distance from the axis of rotation than the inner end of said slot.

9. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending downwardly and increasingly outwardly at increasing distances from its axis until it is substantially horizontal and thence outwardly and upwardly at an increasing upward angle at increasing distances from said axis, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point adjacent the axis, said portion of spiral-like contour being of progressively decreasing radius from a point of maximum radius, the decreases in radius of said contour being substantially equal for equal increments of angular progression from the point of maximum radius substantially to a position where the spiral contour coincides with the lowermost portion of said liquid redirecting surface, and thence curving sharply toward a substantially radial line.

10. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface in the form of an annular groove of curved cross-section substantially coaxial with said axis of rotation and having its outer edge of gradually decreasing radius f-rom a point of maximum radius to a point adjacent said axis.

11. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface comprising an annular groove of curved crosssection substantially coaxial with said axis of rotation and having its outer edge gradually decreasing in height above the lowermost portion of said surface until it is substantially at the level of the lowermost portion of said surface and thence extending substantially radially to a point closely adjacent said axis of rotation, said groove extending over the major portion of said surface.

12. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface in the form of a circumferentially extending groove of curved cross-section with its outer edge of gradually decreasing height, said body carrying an obstruction extending across said groove from the point of substantially greatest height of the outer edge of said groove toward said axis of rotation and separating a portion of said groove having its outer edge of maximum height from a portion thereof having its outer edge of minimum height.

13. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface in the form of a circumferentialy extending groove of curved cross-section with its outer edge of gradually decreasing height, said body carrying an obstruction extending across said groove from the point of substantially greatest height of the outer edge of said groove toward said axis of rotation and separating a portion of said groove having its outer edge of maximum height from a portion thereof having its outer edge of minimum height, and saidbody having a slot therein extending inwardly 1 0 to a point adjacent the center of the body .on that side of said obstruction adjacent the portion of the body'having the outer edge of minimum height.

14. A spray head adapted for distributing a down coming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having .a liquid redirecting upper surface comprising an annular groove of curved cross-section substantially coaxial with said axis of rotation and having its outer edge gradually decreasing in height above the lowermost portion of said surface until its is substantially at the level of the lowermost portion of said surface and thence extending substantially radially to a point closely adjacent said axis of rotation to form a slot, said body being cut away to slope downwardly and away from the upper edge of said slot on the side of said slot opposite the part of the outer edge of least height.

15. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in a predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the body, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a. point of maximum radius to a point of minimum radius.

16. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in a predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having a liquid redirecting upper surface extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the body, the outer edge of said body being formed with a spiral-like contour from a point of maximum radius to a point of minimum radius, and a vane extending from the point of substantially greatest radius of said surface toward the axis of rotation and providing an obstacle to the flow of liquid along said surface in a circumferential direction.

17. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a sub stantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having an upwardly extending part substantially coaxial with said stream, said part being streamlined on its upper end to penetrate axially of said stream without substantial splashing and having substantially smooth lateral surfaces extending approximately vertically, said part merging with a smooth fiarin g curve into a laterally directed surface approximating a plane substantially normal to the axis, said last surface having at least one lobe formed with an outer edge of decreasing radius in circumferential progression from a point of maximum radius to a point of minimum radius.

18. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having an upwardly extending part substantially coaxial with said stream, said part being streamlined on its upper end to penetrate axially of said stream without substantial splashing and having substantially smooth lateral surfaces extending approximately vertically, said part merging with a smooth flaring curve into a laterally directed surface approximating a plane substantially normal to the axis, said last surface having at least one lobe formed with an outer edge of decreasing radius in circumferential progression from a point of maximum radius to a point of minimum radius, each point of maximum radius having a point of minimum radius adjacent thereto and separated therefrom by a substantially radial slot.

19. A spray head adapted for distributing a downcoming stream of liquid in predetermined fashion over a substantially horizontal area comprising a body mounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said body having an upwardly extending part substantially coaxial with said stream, said part being streamlined on its upper end to penetrate axially of said stream without substantial splashing and having substantially smooth lateral surfaces extending approximately vertically, said part merging with a smooth flaring curve into a laterally directed surface approximating a plane substantially normal to the axis, said last surface having at least one lobe formed with an outer edge of decreasing radius in circumferential progression from a point of maximum radius to a point of minimum radius and each point of maximum radius having a point 12 of minimum radius adjacent thereto and separated therefrom by a substantially radial slot, the body along that edge of said slot adjacent the point of maximum radius having its lower surface beveled away from said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,008 Burns Apr. 23, 1895 974,176 Newman Nov. 1, 1910 2,614,886 Dewdney Oct. 21, 1952 2,712,962 Goddard July 12, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,547 Great Britain May 3, 1909 660,860 Great Britain Nov. 14, 1951 381,445 Germany Sept. 20, 1923 

